until you receive the President's instructions, to whom your telegram will be submitted for his directions.

(Signed,)

"EDWIN M. STANTON,

"Secretary of War."

Sent in cipher at 2 A. M., 30th.

Afterward, by my direction, the Secretary of War telegraphed Gen. Ord as follows, to-wit:

"WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C.,

} 10.30 A. M., January 30, 1865. "Maj.-Gen. E. O. C. Ord, Headquarters Army of the James: "By direction of the President, you are instructed to inform the three gentlemen, Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, that a messenger will be dispatched to them at or near where they now are, without unnecessary delay.

(Signed,) "EDWIN M. STANTON,
"Secretary of War."

Afterward, I prepared and put into the hands of Major Thomas T. Eckert the following instructions and message:

"Major T. T. Eckert:

"EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 30, 1865.

"SIR: You will proceed with the documents placed in your hands, and on reaching Gen. Ord will deliver him the letter addressed to him by the Secretary of War; then, by Gen. Ord's assistance, procure an interview with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, or any of them, deliver to him or them the paper on which your own letter is written, note on the copy which you retain the time of delivery and to whom delivered, receive their answer in writing, waiting a reasonable time for it, and which, if it contain their decision to come through, without further condition, will be your warrant to ask Gen. Ord to pass them through, as directed in the letter of the Secretary of War to him. If by their answer they decline to come, or propose other terms, do not have them passed through. And this being your whole duty, return and report to me. A. LINCOLN."

"Yours, truly,

"Messrs. Alex. H. Stephens, J. A. Campbell and R. M. T. Hunter:

"GENTLEMEN: I am instructed by the President of the United States to place this paper in your hands, with the infor

pation that if you pass through the United States military ines it will be understood that you do so for the purpose of an informal conference, on the basis of the letter, a copy of which is on the reverse side of this sheet; and that if you pass on such an understanding, and so notify me in writing, I will procure the Commanding General to pass you through the nes, and to Fortress Monroe, under such military precautions as ne may deem prudent; and at which place you will be met in due time by some person, or persons, for the purpose of such informal conference. And further, that you shall have protection, safe conduct and safe return, in all events.

"THOS. T. ECKERT,

"Major and A. D. C.

"CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, February 1, 1865."

"F. P. Blair, Esq.:

[Copy.]

"WASHINGTON, January 18, 1865.

"SIR: You having shown me Mr. Davis' letter to you of the 12th inst., you may say to him that I have constantly been, am now, and shall continue ready to receive any agent whom he, or any other influential person now resisting the national authority, may informally send to me with the view of securing peace to the people of our one common country. A. LINCOLN."

"Yours, &c.,

Afterward, but before Major Eckert had departed, the following dispatch was received from Gen. Grant:

"The following telegram received at Washington, M., January 31, 1865:

"FROM CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, 191, 1865)

"His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States:

"The following communication was received here last evening:

"PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, January 30, 1865.

Lieut.-Gen. Grant, Commanding Armies U. S. A.:

"SIR: We desire to pass your lines under safe-conduct, and

to proceed to Washington to hold a conference with President Lincoln upon the subject of the existing war, and with a view of ascertaining upon what terms it may be terminated, in pursuance of the course indicated by him in his letter to Mr. Blair, of January 18, 1865, of which we presume you have a cop, and if not we wish to see you in person, if convenient, and to confer with you upon the subject.

"Very respectfully, yours,

(Signed,)

"ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS, "J. A. CAMPBELL,

"R. M. T. HUNTER.'"

"I have sent directions to receive these gentlemen, and expect to have them at my quarters this evening, awaiting your instructions. "U. S. GRANT, "Lieutenant-General Commanding Armies U. S."

This, it will be perceived, transferred Gen. Ord's agency in the matter to Gen. Grant. I resolved, however, to send Maj. Eckert forward with his message, and accordingly telegraphed Gen. Grant as follows, to-wit:

[Telegram-Copy.]

"EXECUTIVE MANSION,
"WASHINGTON, January 31, 1865.

"Lieut.-Gen. Grant, City Point, Virginia:

}

"A messenger is coming to you on the business contained in your dispatch. Detain the gentlemen in comfortable quarters until he arrives, and then act upon the message he brings as far as applicable, it having been made up to pass through Gen. Ord's hands, and when the gentlemen were supposed to be beyond our lines.

(Signed,)

Sent in cipher, at 1.30 P. M.

"A. LINCOLN.”

When Major Eckert departed, he bore with him a letter of the Secretary to Gen. Grant, as follows, to-wit:

[Letter-Copy.]

"WAR DEPARTMENT,
"WASHINGTON, January 30, 1865.

"Lieut.-Gen. Grant, Commanding, etc.:

}

"GENERAL: The President desires that you will please procure for the bearer, Major Thomas T. Eckert, an interview with

Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell; and if, on his return to you, he requests it, pass them through the lines to Fortress Monroe by such route, and under such military precautions as you may deem prudent, giving them protection and comfortable quarters while there; and that you let none of this have any effect upon your movements or plans. "By order of the President.

(Signed)

"EDWIN M. STANTON,
"Secretary of War."

Supposing the proper point to be then reached, I dispatched the Secretary of State with the following instructions, Major Eckert, however, going ahead of him:

"EXECUTIVE MANSION,

"WASHINGTON, January 31, 1865. }

"Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State:

"You will proceed to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, there to meet and informally confer with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, on the basis of my letter to F. P. Blair, Esq., of January 18, 1865, a copy of which you have.

"You will make known to them that three things are indispensable, to wit:

"1. The restoration of the national authority throughout all the States.

"2. No receding by the Executive of the United States, on the slavery question, from the position assumed thereon in the late annual message to Congress, and in preceding documents. "3. No cessation of hostilities short of an end of the war, and the disbanding of all forces hostile to the Government.

"You will inform them that all propositions of theirs not inconsistent with the above, will be considered and passed upon in a spirit of sincere liberality. You will hear all they have to say, and report it to me.

"You will not assume to definitely consummate anything." ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

"Yours, etc.,

On the day of its date the following telegram was sent to Gen. Grant:

[Copy.]

"WAR DEPARTMENT,

"WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 1, 1865.

"Lieut.-Gen. Grant, City Point, Va.:

}

"Let nothing which is transpiring change, hinder, or delay

your military movements or plans.

(Signed)

Sent in cipher at 1.30 A. M.

"A. LINCOLN."

Afterward the following dispatch was received from Gen. Grant:

[In cipher.]

The following telegram received at Washington, 2.30 P. M.: Feb. 1, 1865:

"His Excellency A. Lincoln, President of the United States: "Your dispatch received; there will be no armistice in conse quence of the presence of Mr. Stephens and others within our lines. The troops are kept in readiness to move at the shortest notice, if occasion should justify it.

"U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-Gen."

To notify Major Eckert that the Secretary of State would be at Fortress Monroe, and to put them in communication, the following dispatch was sent :

[Telegram-Copy.]

"WAR DEPARTMENT, "WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 1, 1865. "Major T. T. Eckert, care Gen. Grant, City Point Va.:

}

"Call at Fortress Monroe, and put yourself under direction of Mr. S., whom you will find there.

(Signed,)

Sent in cipher at 5.30 P. M.

"A. LINCOLN."

On the morning of the 2d inst., the following telegrams were received by me respectively from the Secretary of State and Major Eckert:

"FORT MONROE, VA., "11.30 P. M., February, 1, 1865.

"The President of the United States:

}

"Arrived at ten (10) this evening. Richmond party not

here. I remain here.

"WM. H. SEWARD."

Received 4.30 A. M., Feb. 2, in cipher.

"CITY POINT, VA., 10 P. M., Feb. 1, 1865. "His Excellency A. Lincoln, President of the United States: "I have the honor to report the delivery of your communication, and my letter, at four fifteen (4.15) this afternoon, to which I received a reply at six (6) P. M., but not satisfactory. "At eight (8) P. M. the following note addressed to Gen. Grant, was received: